Dungur Shaman with ritual fire at the grounds of the Tuvan National
Museum in Kyzyl at the start of the Shamanic Symposium 2003.

Aldyn-ool Sevek in his grand prix performance

at Khoomei Symposium 2003 with the legendary

instrument Cha-khomus!

Tuva
Tour 2008, Updated March 01, 2008

This years Tuva
Tour begins with an orientation of Kyzyl and Tuva starting at the Center
of Asia monument along the banks of the great Yenisey River. Our
introduction to Kyzyl and Tuva continues to build toward our participation
in the International Khoomei Symposium with a number of cultural and
educational activities such as visiting the Tuvan National Museum and
other sites of interests around Kyzyl. We will meet with cultural
dignitaries and scholars such as Valentina Suzukei at the Humanitarian
Research Center and Mongush Kenin-Lopsan, the "living treasure" of
Shamanism. We will refresh ourselves at a sacred-salubrious spring near
Kyzyl and visit various shamanic clinics in Kyzyl to become acquainted
with local Tuvan shamans. Later we will visit the Tuvan National Orchestra
and be introduced to throat-singers participating in the Khoomei Symposium
and Competition.

The heart of
this year’s journey will revolve around the two most exciting and
important cultural events which take place only every 3-5 years in Tuva;
the Khoomei Symposium and Shamanic Symposium. Our tour group will
participate in all aspects of the Symposiums activities which include,
parade, official meetings and honors, ethno-musicological conferences,
concerts, competitions, dances and journey's to beautiful locations in and
around Kyzyl and western Tuva.

After the
Khoomei Symposium and Festivities we will take a three day Journey to the
beautiful far western region of Tuva known as Bai-Taiga. Where we will
meet and camp with nomadic peoples of Tuva and visit sacred lakes, rivers
and hike in mountains and steppe.

When we return
to Kyzyl, refreshed from the beauty of the Tuvan land we will join Shamans
at the oldest of the shamanic centers; Dungur to begin with them the
events of the Shamanic Symposium, after several days of cultural and
scientific events we will accompany the shamans to the site of a sacred
spring and camp for one or two more nights before returning to Kyzyl for a
last day of activities.

On the
fourteenth day participants can either depart Kyzyl or stay on in Tuva to
extend their trip.

Please note:

The above dates
are more or less set now but they could be adjusted by up to three days
earlier, I will of course let you know ASAP if that happens.

Please check
with us before confirming any related travel arrangements.

This event
summary is intentionally loosely planned at this time and it will change
and become more specific as information is gathered from our organizers in
Tuva and from this years participants about their particular interests. A
more detailed itinerary will be provided for registered participants as we
get closer to our departure.

We aim for a
meaningful experience connecting with the Tuvan people and their cultural,
spiritual and ecological ways of life through a well planned, customized
and flexible tour itinerary. Tour is limited to 10 Participants.

“You really did a wonderful job with our tour and I will always be
extremely grateful to you for making it possible for us to go to Tuva.
Please accept our warm blessings.”